Bill Walker has tonight (SAT) submitted his resignation to the Scottish Parliament as MSP for Dunfermline.

Mr Walker said: “It has been increasingly difficult for my wife and my staff to deal with the media interest in my case. That same media onslaught has also made it impossible to properly represent my constituents and their interests.

“My trial process on domestic abuse charges still continues at Edinburgh Sheriff Court with the sentence not due to be announced until September 20 after the receipt of the reports ordered by the court. However, circumstances have made it very difficult to continue as MSP, hence my decision to withdraw now.

“It has been a pleasure since May 2011 to serve the people of the Dunfermline constituency.

“As several other serving members of the parliament have bravely tried to point out, the court proceedings have not yet concluded. After September 20, there will be an opportunity for me to consider whether there are grounds for appeal and, under legal advice from my solicitor, I shall be making no further comment at this stage.”